Plasticity of the basic developmental mechanism of chordate as observed in ascidians

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25440113
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Developmental biology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan University
• Principal Investigator: Saiga Hidetoshi 首都大学東京, 理工学研究科, 客員教授 (60131918)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: ホヤ / Hox / Otx / マボヤ / カタユウレイボヤ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ascidians, a closest animal group to vertebrates, are classified into 2 groups. Ciona intestinalis (Ci) and Halocynthia roretzi (Hr) are popular ascidian species belonging to the distinct groups. However, they exhibit very similar development to form tadpole larvae. The present study focused on the Hox and Otx, which play pivotal roles in anterior-posterior and anterior patterning, respectively. We have shown the Hox gene complement and cluster structure of Hr. The Hr Hox gene complement consisted of 9 members like in Ci, and the Hr Hox gene cluster is disintegrated in Hr but in a different manner from that in Ci. As regards developmental changes in the gene regulatory mechanisms of Otx, we have found that regulatory mechanisms change as development proceeds, but the way of the change is distinct between Hr and Ci. Thus, the different genetic mechanisms produce a similar outputs, development and expression pattern, in phylogenetically remote ascidians.

Free Research Field

発生生物学